amalyn's reviews
4 reviews
The Scream of the Haunted Mask, by R.L. Stine
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pretty fast book. i picked it up because i never finished it as a kid and thought it would be fun. i realized that this is really only for kids. some things were pretty much expected, but the twists were actually insane i found myself constantly screaming “WHAT?!”. honestly, the book was kinda corny that it was funny, but it was a quick book to read. i would’ve definitely loved it as a kid.
it was, at best, alright and i ended up actually enjoying a snippet of another book involving Carly Beth and Sabrina at the end of the book more than this one LMAO.
it was, at best, alright and i ended up actually enjoying a snippet of another book involving Carly Beth and Sabrina at the end of the book more than this one LMAO.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, by Erika L. Sánchez
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
this was an amazing book. i got it from school for free 2 years ago, so why not read it finally? although i'm not Mexican, i related to Julia so much, from where i live (Chicago) and my dream to start a life for myself. we are so close in age, so it really wakes me up that my Senior year is in 3 weeks and i have to choose my path, so this was so so reflective for me. this book made me tear up for real like i could really feel for her. i got confused on the timeline sometimes and had to pause and figure out long has it been, but nonetheless, this book was phenomenal. i love books that are relatable and help me realize so many things about people, myself, the world, etc. and this book did that. i loved it and finished it in 4 days. i would definitely recommend especially to young growing women such as Julia herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia, Chronic illness, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Abortion, Animal death, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Eating disorder
Minor: Gun violence
Stolen, by Lucy Christopher
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow. This book had me feel things I didn’t think I would be feeling. I feel confused and I’m missing the desert like I was there. I even teared up reading the ending because I felt exactly what Gem felt; this could be because I did get the book when I was 16 and it just made me realize how confusing Gemma’s situation really was and even more because I’m so close to age with her. You start to feel sympathy towards Ty and even start to like him? That shocked me. I think everyone should give this book a try. After picking it up again, I couldn’t put it back down. Each page I just felt like I had to read just oneee more. It had me talking out loud, laughing, tearing up, and then staring at my wall once i closed the book. I personally loved the ending. I definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Confinement
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Medical trauma
Minor: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Injury/injury detail, and Self harm
Remarkables, by Margaret Peterson Haddix
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
okay, so i initially thought this was going to be a plain 2-star rating. i found it so corny and the relationships just don't seem authentic to me; it felt like the family was a little too happy (i believe to show contrast between her and Charley), but
1. i’m not a 5th grader, nowhere near it
2. i’ve never experienced or seen a family behave this way
3. perhaps i’m judging WAY too early
as i continue to read; yes, the corniness is still there; yes, i’m confused every second; and YES, i have to put the book down for a couple seconds because the joke was so bad, but this book is veered towards kids and there were times where i did laugh out loud so maybe it balanced out?
anyways, don't let this drive you away completely from the book, because i did grow to like it a bit more towards the end.
i actually really liked the messages this book had to offer, and it could really help for kids reading. i was like, "wow, i needed to hear that" as a 17-year-old.
another thing i didn't like, however, was the confusing mess of The Remarkables. you see the main character, Marin, trying to piece it together and it's such a confusing process to read, but it ties together in the end and i didn't expect the ending, but i enjoyed it, it brought a smile to my face because i thought it was going in a different route...
i would've put the book down LMAO.
overall, though, pretty solid messages, there's a whole lot of corniness, and the book gets good and actually talks about The Remarkables more around pg. 150-200.
(mind you, there's roughly 300 pages)
it's not that bad to where i HAD to put it down, but not that amazing to where i would recommend this to anyone and/or even reread.
1. i’m not a 5th grader, nowhere near it
2. i’ve never experienced or seen a family behave this way
3. perhaps i’m judging WAY too early
as i continue to read; yes, the corniness is still there; yes, i’m confused every second; and YES, i have to put the book down for a couple seconds because the joke was so bad, but this book is veered towards kids and there were times where i did laugh out loud so maybe it balanced out?
anyways, don't let this drive you away completely from the book, because i did grow to like it a bit more towards the end.
i actually really liked the messages this book had to offer, and it could really help for kids reading. i was like, "wow, i needed to hear that" as a 17-year-old.
another thing i didn't like, however, was the confusing mess of The Remarkables. you see the main character, Marin, trying to piece it together and it's such a confusing process to read, but it ties together in the end and i didn't expect the ending, but i enjoyed it, it brought a smile to my face because i thought it was going in a different route...
Spoiler
i thought they were actually gonna try and go back in time and that would've been mind-boggling. can you imagine two 10-year-olds finding or making a time travel machine and saving Missy and trying to make sure Heather kept her fire detector charity, Charley's dad/mom didn't do drugs, and made sure no one else die because some people need those battery-electrical (i forgot) fire detectors? and if Missy survived, wouldn't Charley's had dated Missy and then Charley wouldn't even exist? now THAT'S insane.i would've put the book down LMAO.
overall, though, pretty solid messages, there's a whole lot of corniness, and the book gets good and actually talks about The Remarkables more around pg. 150-200.
(mind you, there's roughly 300 pages)
it's not that bad to where i HAD to put it down, but not that amazing to where i would recommend this to anyone and/or even reread.
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